Eggplant Parmesan & Coconut Water

 I've had an eggplant sitting in my fridge since the last time I went to the Farmer's Market. It's been hiding behind all the other food until today. There isn't much left in the fridge, and I refuse to go to the grocery until payday, so I had to get creative with what we have left to make dinner for the next couple of nights. Tonight we're going big with eggplant parmesan...I can't promise the next couple of nights won't be spoonfuls of peanut butter from the jar :)

 Easy Eggplant Parmesan


1 eggplant
flour
breadcrumbs
basil
oregano
garlic salt
salt and pepper
non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
oil for frying

 Warm oil in skillet over med/high heat. Slice up your eggplant into rounds. Make three bowls: one full of milk, one full of breadcrumbs, and one full of flour mixed with seasonings. Dip the eggplant piece first in milk, then dredge through flour and seasoning mix, then dip into milk again, then dredge through breadcrumbs. Place into skillet and fry.

Eggplant pieces frying in oil

My eggplant pieces weren't floatig in oil. It was just enough on the bottom of the skillet to keep the eggplant pieces from sticking. Also, I've tried this method when making onion rings, and every time I dipped them in the milk, the previous coating would slide off. Not the case with the eggplant; the flour and seasoning mixture stayed put and then so did the second coating of milk, and then so did the breadcrumbs. I recommend using as much seasoning as possible, and maybe even italian flavored breadcrumbs? Like I said, I had to work with what I have, but feel free to throw anything you want in the dry seasoning mixture!

 Continue the process until all of your eggplant pieces are used up.
Lay on a papertowel to dry/soak up the oil.

My beautiful fried eggplant pieces

Cook pasta, or quinoa, or couscous, whatever you are serving it over. I chose pasta, because The Boyfriend absolutely loves anything pasta. Top with some marinara, sprinkle with some vegan daiya cheese, and voila! 

I made this a few hours ahead of time, because I knew it would be a great dinner to come home to after a run. Tonight we ran 10 miles and we were good and hungry when we got home! But first, coconut water to rehydrate!

 I bought two kinds of coconut water at the health food store:

 Coconut water benefits include:

• helps promote weight loss
• improves your immune system
• breaks up kidney stones
• boost thyroid health
• fights viruses
• aids circulation
• reduces swelling in hands and feet
• good for burns
• good for hangovers
• reduces urinary tract problems
• aids digestion by removing toxins

One drink has more potassium than a whole banana in it, and since we are fresh out of bananas and just did a 10 mile run, this electrolyte-replacing drink was a must. It's not coconut milk, mind you, it's the water that's found inside the coconut when it's still maturing.

 Have you ever tried coconut water?  This was my first time drinking coconut water, although I have tried coconut milk before (read this post to find out the health benefits of coconut milk). I did like the coconut water, but will probably just continue to drink water to re-hydrate after a run. The coconut water is kind of pricey, and while I'm glad I tried it, I can't see myself buying it every time I'm at the store.